Mensah makes Black Cats leap

28 August 2009 07:26

Sunderland have bolstered their defensive options by capturing centre-back John Mensah from French giants Lyon.
The 26-year-old has joined on a season-long loan, with the Black Cats having the option of making the deal permanent at the end.
The Ghana vice-captain brings a wealth of experience to the Stadium of Light, having represented his country - where he is nicknamed 'the Rock of Gibraltar' - almost 60 times.
He also has experience of playing in both Serie A and Ligue 1, where he made more than 60 appearances for Rennes before switching to Lyon for 8.4m euros last summer.
Mensah becomes Steve Bruce's sixth capture of the summer, following Fraizer Campbell, Paulo Da Silva, Lorik Cana, Darren Bent and Lee Cattermole into the club.
Mensah told the club's official website: "I'm very delighted to join Sunderland today, it's like a dream come true for me because it's not easy to play in England.
"I want to tell my fans that they should not expect magic from me but that I will be giving my best.
"I have a lot of experience from Italy and Europe, while I have played a lot of games for my country and competed in the World Cup and the African Nations Cup.
"Because of this it is not difficult for me to play in England. Now I hope I can do well here in Sunderland and I will listen and do whatever the coach tells me to do."